History of Studying Teeth
This is a thesis analyzing the evolution of teeth. However, the knowledge concerning teeth has evolved quite dramatically. One of the first to scientifically analyze teeth was Pierre Fachard. His book "Le Chirurgien Dentiste" published in1728 was revolutionary. It was the first book of it's kind to be published. Fachard's intent in writing this was to make a comprehensive encyclopedia on everything known in dentistry from how to treat diseases, preventative care, even the best way to seat a person in a dental chair. This was also one of the first books to give detailed descriptions of human teeth. Hunter wrote The Natural History of the Human Teeth (1771) 1. In it he clearly described dental anatomy and coined the terms bicuspids, cuspids, incisors and molars a classification of the teeth which is still used today. He traced their development in the fetus and the child, and established their structure of pulp, bone, and enamel. Considered a classic in both the history of science and medicine, this work combines the first complete analysis of human dentition with exquisite illustrations. Linnaeus' system of organizing life in 1735 fueled a push towards comparative anatomy. Paleotologists began to look at teeth in terms
In 3 volumes, it will systematically go through every hominid fossil species that has been found, catalogue, analyze, and draw comparisons. Later that year he found an intact skullcap. He was one of the first scientists to write comparing the teeth within vertabrates. Although he coined the name Labyrinthodont, Owen never accepted Darwin's theory, let alone postulate on the role of Labyrinthodonts in evolutionary history. Among current publication today, there is a trend analyzing tooth structures. However, there are also many which try to draw inferences concerning the society, handedness, lifestyle, eating habits, etc of the hominid study. Currently a very widely known name in the area of hominid evolution is Ian Tattersall. Also a popular research topic is chondritchyes (sharks) and other fish with teeth. Without a doubt the animals which are most analyzed are early hominids and primates. This is still considered a very important piece of the human origin puzzle. Sir Richard Owen was one of the first ever to give a detailed classification of teeth. An important note in this work was that he characterized the teeth Labyrinthodont amphibians. Curator, Division of Anthropology, American Museum of Natural HistoryTattersall has concentrated his research on the analysis of the human fossil record. There is no suggestion that the study of the structure of the teeth elucidate evolutionary relationship proposed by Darwin Famous Palentologist, William King Gregory published his seminal work, The Origin and Evolution of the Human Dentition in 1922.
Common topics in this essay:
Ian Tattersall,
Human Teeth,
Ernst Haeckel,
Zoology Biology,
Richard Owen,
Darwin Osborn's,
Labyrinthodont Owen,
Chirurgien Dentiste,
Preface Osburn,
Broeboes August,
hominid evolution,
natural history,
study teeth,
museum natural,
museum natural history,
fossil record,
american museum natural,
common ancestor,
classification teeth,
human teeth,
human dentition,
ian tattersall,
human fossil record,
|